Quail \Quail\, n. [OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia,
   qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel,
   OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.]
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   1. (Zool.) Any gallinaceous bird belonging to Coturnix and
      several allied genera of the Old World, especially the
      common European quail (Coturnix communis), the rain
      quail (Coturnix Coromandelica) of India, the stubble
      quail (Coturnix pectoralis), and the Australian swamp
      quail (Synoicus australis).
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   2. (Zool.) Any one of several American partridges belonging
      to Colinus, Callipepla, and allied genera, especially
      the bobwhite (called Virginia quail, and Maryland
      quail), and the California quail (Calipepla
      Californica).
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of Turnix and allied
      genera, native of the Old World, as the Australian painted
      quail (Turnix varius). See Turnix.
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   4. A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought
      to be a very amorous bird. [Obs.] --Shak.
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   Bustard quail (Zool.), a small Asiatic quail-like bird of
      the genus Turnix, as Turnix taigoor, a black-breasted
      species, and the hill bustard quail (Turnix ocellatus).
      See Turnix.

   Button quail (Zool.), one of several small Asiatic species
      of Turnix, as Turnix Sykesii, which is said to be the
      smallest game bird of India.

   Mountain quail. See under Mountain.

   Quail call, a call or pipe for alluring quails into a net
      or within range.

   Quail dove (Zool.), any one of several American ground
      pigeons belonging to Geotrygon and allied genera.

   Quail hawk (Zool.), the New Zealand sparrow hawk
      (Hieracidea Nov[ae]-Hollandi[ae]).

   Quail pipe. See Quail call, above.

   Quail snipe (Zool.), the dowitcher, or red-breasted snipe;
      -- called also robin snipe, and brown snipe.

   Sea quail (Zool.), the turnstone. [Local, U. S.]
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